Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens is coordinating the installation of a 10,000 sq. ft. green roof on Ohio St. University's Howlett Hall. The building is home to the arboretum’s offices. The installation on a lower-level roof in back of the building is planned for late 2011.
Arboretum director, Mary Maloney said the roof is highly visible and accessible from a first floor conference room. She said the roof will help to educate faculty, staff, students and visitors about its benefits, including reducing storm water runoff, mitigating the urban 'heat island' effect, reducing heating and cooling costs, reducing noise and increasing wildlife habitat and extending the life of the roof. The installation will assist in earning credits to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Howlett Hall. Maloney said it will also provide the university with a prototype for retrofitting other roofs on campus.
The roof will be designed to accommodate ongoing research projects to become a true educational tool. The project is being funded by donations to the arboretum.